Destination town outside Bordeaux

Hi Cathy! How far outside of Bordeaux are you looking to stay? Bordeaux isn't in the Dordogne region but is driving distance to the start of it. Are you looking to stay more in the Dordogne region (which is very big) or looking to stay just a 30-ish minutes outside of the city of Bordeaux? Any interest in Ocean towns or are you just looking to the East of Bordeaux?

Well, color me embarrassed. Full disclosure. I read the Inspector Bruno detective books, and Bordeaux seemed to be the 'main' town I recognized in the various novels. I am looking for a little town to move to for some 'atmosphere'. I know about bergerac and Perigueux and some others, but... looking for a knowledgeable suggestion for an additional stay (we are for sure starting in Bordeaux.

Thanks for the heads up.

Cathy

Also, looking east.

Given that 90% of the Dordogne is inaccessible without a car, you forgot to mention the most important thing:

What means of transport do you plan to use:

1. To get to this town

2. To get around once you are in this town

Thanks for that tidbit. I guess we will (bravely) rent a car when we leave Bordeaux and return it when we fly out..

Since you'll be renting a car (bravely!), you can check out this map which will open up possibilities further east:

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1OdPOg8AgsNn0Jlv1cNHkujaWv9p_Jpc&usp=sharing

Contrary to what Rick Steves and Bruno Detective seem to be unaware of (sorry Rick), the Dordogne and Lot valleys offer exactly the same attractions (castles, villages, caves, and so on).

For example, see if Martel, one of the "Most Beautiful Villages of France," might appeal to you:

https://www.visit-dordogne-valley.co.uk/discover/cultural-heritage/villages-to-visit/martel

If you rent a car from the airport in Bordeaux then it's fairly easy and stress free drive to get out of town. Here's my Trip Report from Fargo of 2024 if you're interested.
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/trip-report-part-2-hills-and-castles-dordogne

We based in Beynac and loved it. Also stayed in St Emilion for a night which we loved.

Thanks all, I will definitely use these tips and do our research.

Cathy

We were just in the Dordogne, and just as JoLui said, you must have a car. We too are Bruno fans. It was quite wonderful to see the area. It is mostly very small villages, but there are many fine restaurants and sights to see. The area is filled with prehistoric sights of the cro-magnon era. The famous Lascaux is the most well-known, but there are others. We were privileged to get a guided tour of a duck farm by the farmer.

As to a town to stay in, Sarlat-La-Caneda is a good choice. It's a larger town than many.

I second the recommendation for sarlat La Canada. It is a beautiful old town with a good outdoor market. But beware it gets very touristy in the summer months. and, as with most towns, parking can be a little difficult.

I also recommend Sarlat. Find lodging with parking. It’s easy to use as a base for day trips and once you return to town you can potentially park your car and walk to dinner, depending on where you are staying. We rented an apartment. We were there in late September/early October 2022 and it was not overly crowded. I don’t know when you will be there in Spring, but hopefully it won’t be too busy. I imagine summer is very crowded.

Have you considered, Castillon-la-Bataille?

It is a village on the Dordogne River, 1 hour east of Bordeaux and has a train station in the village.

This is where the last battle of the Hundred Years’ War was fought.

Hence the “la Bataille” in the name. Each July and August a re-enactment of that battle is held in the nearby village of Belvès-de-Castillon with over 600 actors, 50 horses, and it finishes with fireworks. It is a spectacle worth seeing.

It is also about a fifteen minute drive from the UNESCO World Heritage village of Saint Émilion, and is a short distance from the Chateau Michel de Montaigne. (If you are unfamiliar with Montaigne, look him up, discover his life story and influence on philosophy and literature, and then notice his name appears repeatedly throughout Nouvelle Aquitaine.)

There’s a golf course nearby that was ranked in 2024 by Golf Digest as the #3 golf course in France out of 600 courses.

I adore the Guinguette de la Plage on the other side of the Dordogne from the village of Castillon.

There is a lot to enjoy about this historic medieval village and it is convenient from the magnificent city of Bordeaux.

Can anyone tell me why Rick Steves has never covered the city of Bordeaux? Does he have something against it? There is so much to see and do there. It deserves his attention.

Hello,

We had not considered C-l-B, and I will look into it. Thank you! Cathy

Can tell me why Rick Steves has never covered the city of Bordeaux?
Does he have something against it? There is so much to see and do
there. It deserves his attention.

Sshhhhh. Don't tell anyone. Keep it free of those pesky tourists.